2020 Kia Sorento problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 137 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Kia Sorento, most often about engine. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints: 137
Recalls: 1
Crashes: 10
Fires: 12
Injuries: 21
Median mileage: 19,500 mi

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 68 of 137 complaints (50%).
Electrical System (20) and transmission & drivetrain (18) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 19,500 mi.
Owners reported 10 crashes, 12 fires and 21 injuries.
The 2020 Kia Sorento has 1 recall on file.
NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
It ranks 9th of 21 Kia Sorento model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 65% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (387).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Engine	66
Unknown or other	24
Power train	18
Electrical system	17
Fuel/propulsion system	10
Trailer hitches	9
Service brakes	5
Exterior lighting	4

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2020 Kia Sorento complaints that list mileage.

2020 Kia Sorento recalls (1)

Recall 22V703000Sep 19, 202270,887 vehiclesPark outside
TRAILER HITCHES
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

NHTSA defect investigations

DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain…

Recent 2020 Kia Sorento complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Oct 7, 202634,000 miOHEngine
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from under the hood of the vehicle and the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was temporarily illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure…
NHTSA complaint #11769662 · source
Filed Sep 26, 2026MAFireElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Driving at highway speed, the vehicle began to make a loud rattling noise that came from under the vehicle. A passerby pulled even with my car and began frantically gesturing. After a few seconds of confusion, me daughter said the she thought the man was saying "it's on fire." We pulled over to the shoulder of the road, exited quickly and realized there was fire visible in the engine area, seen through the grill. A good samaritan attempted to suppress the fire with an…
NHTSA complaint #11767149 · source
Filed Sep 18, 202635,000 miCACrashTowedAcceleration & Cruise Control
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting into gear with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unexpectedly jerked back and forth, accelerated unintendedly, and crashed into the corner plaster wall of a friend's garage, causing plaster to fall onto the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to Caliber Collision to be repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. Police officers responded to the scene,…
NHTSA complaint #11765211 · source
Filed Sep 1, 2026OH1 injuredOther / Unknown
While driving my 2020 Kia Sorento on the freeway at highway speed, the panoramic sunroof suddenly shattered without warning. There was a very loud explosive sound that startled and frightened me while I was driving. I was not aware of anything striking the sunroof immediately before it shattered, and there were no warning lights, messages, noises, cracks, or other indications that the glass was about to fail. Because I was traveling at freeway speed when this occurred, the…
NHTSA complaint #11761230 · source
Filed Aug 31, 20269,000 miWIAirbags
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated while an occupant was seated in the front passenger’s seat. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls or warranty associated with the vehicle failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
NHTSA complaint #11761097 · source
Filed Aug 18, 2026NCEngine
My 2020 Kia Sorento stalled and shut off while driving and eventually stopped working completely, requiring it to be towed to a Kia dealership. The dealership first replaced the starter and then the high-pressure fuel pump, but the vehicle still would not operate. After further diagnosis, I was informed that the timing chain had failed/broken and the engine needed to be replaced, with a new engine quoted at approximately $12,000. I am concerned that this type of sudden…
NHTSA complaint #11757589 · source
Filed Jul 29, 2026IATransmission & Drivetrain
The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a routine oil change when the contact was informed that there was an unknown issue with the vehicle however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission fluid was leaking and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
NHTSA complaint #11753507 · source
Filed Jul 12, 2026MDAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
Driving on highway at 65, traction control light, airbag light, parking light, bcw warning, all came in at the same time. I was able to pull off to the side and re start engine to clear the lights. As soon as I got up to 40 lights one by one flickered on until up to highway speed and then all flickered and dash dings. Two independent shops ran diagnostics and noted that only battery was dead. Replaced battery and the lights came back immediately.
NHTSA complaint #11749809 · source

Compare the 2020 Kia Sorento with another vehicle →

Other 2020 Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology